“Hurrah! You’re all right! Go ahead chief! Make a dozen motions if you want to!” were some of the cries that greeted the head of the volunteers.
“Then I move you that we elect these three boys, who helped us so well to-day, honorary members of our department!” exclaimed the chief.
“Second the motion!” cried every member of the volunteers.
“I guess there’s no use to take a vote on that proposition,” the chief went on. “You’re elected unanimously!”
“Thank you, very much,” said Jerry, speaking for himself and his chums.
There was a cheer for the boys, and congratulations on every side. Mrs. Dudley came up, shook hands with the boys, and with tears in her eyes thanked them for their aid in saving her home.
“I don’t know what I would have done if it had burned down,” she said. “I’ve lived here so long I don’t believe I ever could live in a new place. I must write and tell you boys’ mothers what you did for me.”
As soon as they could, the boys made an excuse for leaving. Shaking hands with their host and hostess, they went down to the motor boat, followed by about half the members of the fire department. Amid cheers from the men the boys started off.
“I guess we’d better cut out the trip to the park,” said Jerry. “How about going straight home?”